Question
What does a CD4 count of 42 mean?
26 August 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
I found that i was positive a year back, i am on art and my cd4 count is 42. What does this suggest?
Answer
Thanks for your question.
I hope you are finding life easier as you get used to HIV. Getting a diagnosis is difficult but it is good that you are now on treatment.
Your CD4 count is a marker of how strong your immune system is, and 42 is pretty low. This means that you are still at risk of HIV-related symptoms until it gets higher because of your ARV treatment.
I am assuming that your CD4 count was lower when you were diagnosed. When starting treatment at a CD4 count below 50, it can take a year to reach 100 and another year perhaps to reach 200.
During this time the risk of infections is lower than if you were not on treatment but until you get to 200 you should also be prescribed an antibiotic called Septrin.
Also, while your CD4 count is below 50, your doctor should examine your eyes to check you do not have vision problems relating to an infection called CMV.
If your CD4 count has not gone up over the last year, then you should ask your doctor to explain these results in case alternative treatments could be used.
Here are a couple of links to infromation about CD4 counts.
https://i-base.info/ttfa/section-1/17-cd4-count-as-a-surrogate-marker
https://i-base.info/ttfa/section-1/19-interpreting-cd4-results-cd4-count-and-cd4-percentage
My CD4 count 148 and viral load is 42 after 1year ON ART. What does it mean?
Hi,
Is this a new diagnoses? If it is have you started medication yet?
The meningitis test is probably your doctor being cautious, this is because your CD4 count is low. There’s info here about what to expect when you have a CD4 of less than 50. http://i-base.info/qa/4643
I just found out that my cd4 count is 49 so they said i have to do test for menigitis im really worried will i survive
Hi Cindy,
I’m sorry, you don’t sound well at all. And your viral load result looks like these meds are not working. Was your viral load undetectable on Triumeq?
Before deciding to stop, can you have another talk with the clinic? It’s possible they could find meds that are easier for you take. These can also be more effective.
My cd 4 is 212 my viral load 64000 I have decided not to take my ARV’s as they make me dizzy and feel terrible I have been on Triumeq for almost 5 years so when the symptoms started they put me on Bicktarvy I gained 12 pounds in 2 weeks next was Pifeltro and Biktarvy symptoms were dizzy so at this point I have decided to stop taking ARV’s I am 58 years old please tell me how long I can expect to be healthy so I can get my affairs in order
Hi Zebulon,
The meds that you’re talking don’t have anything to do with the vaginal ulcers that you’re getting. However you may be getting these as your CD4 count is very low. Please talk to your doctor about this. Other than the meds have you been given any other medication to take?
Hi
I just started taking ARVs with a CD4 count of 44, i was fine before taking the meds but ever since i started i’ve been getting vaginal ulcers one after another, what could this mean?
Hi Ezekiel,
Yes this is a good viral load result. It means that you are undetectable. This is excellent news. Your HIV is under control and you cannot transmit HIV when having sex without a condom.
My viral load is 42, is it a good on?
Hi Refilwe,
It’s good that you’ve started treatment soon. A viral load of 98 is low, and modern treatment can quickly reduce this to undetectable – which is under 50. This can help your CD4 count recover. But CD4 recovery is usually slower than the time taken to reduce viral load. However, many many people around the world are taking HIV treatment and that now means HIV positive people have a life expectancy similar to HIV negative people.